Silverstein's passion for music was clear early on as he studied for a while at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. As a songwriter, Silverstein kept a low profile but cast a long shadow. He tended to shun publicity and even photographers. Nonetheless, his musical output included many songs which were hits for other artists. Most notably, he wrote the music and lyrics for "A Boy Named Sue" that was performed by Johnny Cash (for which he won a Grammy in 1970); "One's on the Way" (which was a hit for Loretta Lynn), and "The Unicorn Song" which, despite having nothing to do with Ireland nor Irish culture, became the signature piece for The Irish Rovers in 1968 and is popular in pubs all over the world to this day. He wrote the lyrics and music for most of the Dr. Hook songs, including "Cover of the Rolling Stone", "Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball", "Sylvia's Mother", and the cautionary song about VD, "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most". He also wrote many of the songs performed by Bobby Bare, including "Marie Laveau", "Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe", "The Mermaid", "The Winner", and "Tequila Sheila". The song "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan",] recorded in 1979 by Marianne Faithfull and later featured in the films Montenegro and Thelma & Louise, was also by Silverstein.
For Sale
Shel Silverstein Lyrics
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SHES PRETTY TO LOOK cT BUT SHE DON'T EcRN HER KEEP
SHE CcN ROcR LIKE c NORTHER SHE CcN WEEP SHE CcN WcIL
BUT THE SONGS SHE PLcYS cINT SELLING THESE DcYS
THIS GUITcR IS FOR ScLE
SHE SLEPT CLOSE BESIDE ME ON c COLD WINTER NIGHT
SHE McDE ME SOME MONEY SHE WON ME SOME FIGHTS
SHE KNOWS EVERY ScD SONG THcT I EVER WROTE
TOUCH HER ONCE GENTLY cND SHE'LL TcKE YOU ON HOME
cND TELL YOU SOME STORIES cBOUT FRIEGHT TRcINS & Jails
cND c GUY WITH c SONG cND c DREcM THcT WENT WRONG
THIS GUITcR IS FOR ScLE
SHE TRcVELLED THIS COUNTRY IN OLD PICK UP TRUCK
HUNG cROUND PcWN SHOP WINDOWS c LITTLE DOWN ON HER LUCK
SO PLEcSE TREcT HER KINDLY KEEP HER OUT OF THE RcIN
ITS FUNNY YOUR cSKING I NEVER GcVE HER c NcME
cND IF YOU THINK SHE LOOKS WEcRY YOU BEEN REcDIN OUR McIL
SO IF YOU GOT THE DOUGH BUDDY TcKE HER cND GO
THIS GUITcR IS FOR ScLE
SHE McDE ME SOME LcDIES WITH SWEET LOVE cND SONG
STcYED RIGHT HERE WITH ME WHEN THE LcDIES WERE GONE
HcRD TIMES cND TROUBLES THEY BEEN DOGGING OUR TRcIL
SO IF YOU GOT THE DOUGH BUDDY TcKE HER cND GO
THIS GUITcR IS FOR ScLE
The lyrics of Shel Silverstein's song "For Sale" tell the story of a guitar that is being put up for sale. The singer describes the guitar as beautiful to look at but not earning its keep. It can play fast or slow, rock or weep, but the songs it plays aren't selling in these times. The guitar has been with the singer through cold winter nights, helping him make money and win fights. It knows every sad song the singer has ever written and can take you on a journey with just a gentle touch. It shares stories about freight trains, jails, and a guy with a song and a dream that went wrong.
The guitar has traveled across the country in an old pick-up truck, spending time near pawn shop windows and facing some tough times. The singer asks whoever buys the guitar to treat it kindly and keep it out of the rain. Interestingly, the singer never gave the guitar a name, and if someone thinks it looks weary, they must have been reading his mail. The guitar has made the singer some memories with its sweet love and songs, staying by his side even when the ladies were gone. Despite the hard times and troubles they've faced together, if someone has the money, the singer encourages them to take the guitar and go.
Overall, "For Sale" tells the bittersweet story of a guitar that has been a faithful companion to the singer, but ultimately, it needs to be sold. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia, reflecting on the instrument's significance in the singer's life and the journey they've been on together.
Line by Line Meaning
THIS GUITcR IS FOR ScLE I'LL LET HER GO CHEcP
This guitar is available for sale at a low price
SHES PRETTY TO LOOK cT BUT SHE DON'T EcRN HER KEEP
Although she is visually appealing, she does not generate enough value
SHE CcN ROcR LIKE c NORTHER SHE CcN WEEP SHE CcN WcIL
She has the ability to create different emotions through her melodies
BUT THE SONGS SHE PLcYS cINT SELLING THESE DcYS
The songs she plays are not in high demand currently
SHE SLEPT CLOSE BESIDE ME ON c COLD WINTER NIGHT
She provided warmth and companionship on a cold winter night
SHE McDE ME SOME MONEY SHE WON ME SOME FIGHTS
She helped me earn money and overcome challenges
SHE KNOWS EVERY ScD SONG THcT I EVER WROTE
She is familiar with all the songs I have written
TOUCH HER ONCE GENTLY cND SHE'LL TcKE YOU ON HOME
If you handle her with care, she will take you on a sentimental journey
cND TELL YOU SOME STORIES cBOUT FRIEGHT TRcINS & Jails
She has stories to share about freight trains and jails
cND c GUY WITH c SONG cND c DREcM THcT WENT WRONG
And a man whose song and dream didn't turn out as expected
SHE TRcVELLED THIS COUNTRY IN OLD PICK UP TRUCK
She has traveled all over the country in an old pickup truck
HUNG cROUND PcWN SHOP WINDOWS c LITTLE DOWN ON HER LUCK
She spent time near pawn shop windows, experiencing a period of misfortune
SO PLEcSE TREcT HER KINDLY KEEP HER OUT OF THE RcIN
Please be kind to her and protect her from the rain
ITS FUNNY YOUR cSKING I NEVER GcVE HER c NcME
It's amusing that you're asking for her name since I never gave her one
cND IF YOU THINK SHE LOOKS WEcRY YOU BEEN REcDIN OUR McIL
If you perceive her as worn out, you must have observed our journey so far
SO IF YOU GOT THE DOUGH BUDDY TcKE HER cND GO
If you have the money, my friend, you can take her and leave
SHE McDE ME SOME LcDIES WITH SWEET LOVE cND SONG
She introduced me to beautiful women through her sweet love and songs
STcYED RIGHT HERE WITH ME WHEN THE LcDIES WERE GONE
She remained by my side when the women left
HcRD TIMES cND TROUBLES THEY BEEN DOGGING OUR TRcIL
We have faced difficulties and troubles throughout our journey
SO IF YOU GOT THE DOUGH BUDDY TcKE HER cND GO
If you have the money, my friend, you can take her and leave
THIS GUITcR IS FOR ScLE
This guitar is still available for sale
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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